More CNN Departures: On-Air Fixtures Leave Network

Changes are coming at a rapid pace for CNN as Jeff Zucker takes over. Two of the cable news channel’s best-known political contributors, James Carville and Mary Matalin, are leaving the network as CNN looks for younger contributors, The New York Times’ Media Decoder reports.

The moves come on the heels of the resignation Tuesday of CNN Executive VP and managing editor Mark Whitaker, as reported yesterday. Whitaker indicated he was leaving to give Zucker the freedom to put his stamp on the network.

As possible replacements for the politically mismatched couple Carville, a Democrat, and Matalin, a Republican, CNN has been focusing on another husband-and-wife team, John Avlon, an independent, and Margaret Hoover, a conservative, according to The Times piece.

Carville told Politico that CNN made the decision. "I was told that they wanted the contributors to be more available — essentially, closer to Washington. I’m not always available — I don’t live there," Carville said.

Carville and Matalin live in New Orleans, and have a small TV studio in their home, where they make live appearances.

7 Comments

Carville and Matalin are too smart to be on Zucker’s boat. Their depth and understanding of political Washington go beyond Zucker’s grasp.
Zucker will NEVER learn that news & information requires authenticity and knowledge, (and there is no age barrier).
They always trump the showbiz quotient.
Good luck, CNN. It will be a long trek back after Zucker is removed from the helm.
Peter Bright

Mr. Bright,
I always enjoy reading your posts and usually tend to agree with you, except of course for this one.
Jeff Zucker seems to be one of the few people who will be able to rescue CNN from an early demise.
CNN sat on its laurels for years as FOX News Channel paved the way for new views and “NEWS.”
The once almighty and invincible CNN has had some of its worse ratings in history and has never really rebounded from the time that “Larry King Live” started going in to the tank back in ’07 or so.
Mr. Zucker brings with him a host of experience as an adroit News executive, including nearly a decade as the Executive Producer of the “Today” show when it was unstoppable and beating all of the competition two to one.
No, I am not related to Jeff Zucker, nor ever have ever worked for him. This just seems like a good fit for all parties involved and I wish him well.

If you think The Today Show is a good example for news, then you will love the new CNN. That is exactly what Zucker intends – 24 hours of light news and entertainment with cute hosts who have no idea what is really going on in the World.

CNN lost its way when they ignored the upstart FOX News. That’s from a former CNN executive.
They ignored what FOX was doing, feeling strong and invulnerable. CNN has been playing catch-up ever since.
FOX and MSNBC are both better produced and frankly more interesting TV.
Perhaps Mr. Zucker will make a difference, perhaps not. I do wish him luck because I hate to see resources like CNN’s wasted.

Otis Livinsteen and Cindy Shue from CBS are sick in the heads they talking about co workers and drug bussineses i saw the in the clubs thhey talking about marijuana dillers and raping CBS co werkers they are in coraption bussines let them go as soon as posible before they cose serios problem